Lufthansa pilot strike set
A Lufthansa pilot walkout is scheduled for Thursday–Friday, April 16–17, with most flights expected to be cancelled during that period. (loyaltylobby.com) Airlines and travelers are already bracing for same‑day disruptions as the strike coincides with a busy spring travel window. (loyaltylobby.com)
Lufthansa pilots are striking again on Thursday, April 16, and Friday, April 17, hitting flights that depart German airports during that window. (vcockpit.de) The pilots’ union, Vereinigung Cockpit, said the walkout starts at 12:01 a.m. local time on April 16 and ends at 11:59 p.m. local time on April 17 for Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo, and Lufthansa CityLine. Eurowings is included for departures from German airports on April 16 only. (vcockpit.de) The union said flights from Germany to 13 Middle East destinations are exempt, including Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Lufthansa’s own travel page separately says the group has already suspended many Middle East routes because of the regional security situation. (vcockpit.de) (lufthansa.com) This is the second pilot action in the same week. Vereinigung Cockpit had already called a two-day strike for April 13 and 14 at Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo, Lufthansa CityLine, and Eurowings. (vcockpit.de) The dispute is about contracts, not operations. Vereinigung Cockpit said Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo have not presented an offer on company pensions, Lufthansa CityLine has not made what the union called a viable pay offer, and Eurowings’ pension proposal is too low. (vcockpit.de 1) (vcockpit.de 2) Vereinigung Cockpit said on April 14 that it had proposed binding arbitration to the employers to try to end the standoff. Union president Andreas Pinheiro said the situation was “deadlocked” and that an independent mediator could prevent further escalation. (vcockpit.de) Lufthansa has already been warning passengers about strike-related disruption this week and says affected travelers can rebook for free or request a refund. The airline also says canceled domestic German Lufthansa flights can be exchanged for a Deutsche Bahn rail ticket. (lufthansa.com) (lufthansaexperts.com) The airline has also tried to keep some flying intact by shifting passengers to other Lufthansa Group carriers and partners. In the separate cabin crew strike this week, Lufthansa said Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Swiss, Air Dolomiti, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss, Eurowings, and Lufthansa City Airlines were not affected. (lufthansaexperts.com) For travelers, the practical point is simple: a booking on Lufthansa metal out of Germany on April 16 or April 17 is at high risk, and the airline is telling passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport. (vcockpit.de) (lufthansaexperts.com)
